Arthur Duffy

While the heartbroken grandparents of Jack Glenn feel confident that the body of their grandson will be returned from the River Foyle, they believe a physical deterrent must be put in place to divert people from similar action.

As divers from Drogheda and search teams from throughout N. Ireland continue the search for the 23-years-old, Jack and Violet Glenn say they have not lost faith for the recovery of their eldest grandchild.

As an undertaker, I had been dealing with death regularly, but I didn’t know what people had been experiencing at all. Until it comes to your own door, you really do not understand bereavement.

Jack Glenn

Having received widespread support from throughout the local community, Jack was adamant that some sort of a deterrent must be put in place on the Foyle Bridge.

“I’ve seen the spot where young Jack entered the water and it set me thinking. It was much too easy for a lad like him to negotiate the fence on the bridge,” said Mr. Glenn.

“It’s about four feet high and would be easily climbed. I realise that this would not be the answer, but I think it would provide a deterrent.

“Even if a higher fence would make someone stop and think before going into the river, it may be enough save a life. And, if such a deterrent would serve to save even one life, then I think that it would prove worthwhile,” added Jack.

A former undertaker, Jack felt he knew all about bereavement until the tragic disappearance of his grandson hit home on February 2 last.

“I thought I knew what people had been going through, but I didn’t know anything about it,” he said.

“As an undertaker, I had been dealing with death regularly, but I didn’t know what people had been experiencing at all. Until it comes to your own door, you really do not understand bereavement,” he admitted.

“Violet and I have now felt the pain of tragically losing a child at first hand. We’re pensioners who have a great faith and we believe we must do everything in our power to avoid another family having to experience this type of pain.

“God knows, so many people have come forward to support us and we feel we must have a legacy for our Jack, something that people can look back on and think of him.

“If God continues to give us the health and strength, Violet and I will create that legacy as a repayment to all those who have helped our family. They do not wish to be repaid, but I think we are now bound to try to save a life, even one life, and avoid such a tragedy.

“From the bottom of our hearts, we extend our thanks to each and every one of those people who have stepped up to help us in our time of need.